A few weeks ago, John Scott was content playing about 10 shifts a game in his 11 games with the Arizona Coyotes. He had one assist (Nov. 12) and 25 penalty minutes. His plus/minus balanced out at zero.

Like a fairytale he’d read his daughters, he’s since become a celebrity man of honor, a hero, and an NHL All-Star Captain and MVP.

With his first shot on his first shift in his first All-Star Game, which he nearly didn’t attend, Scott gave the Pacific Division a 2-0 lead over the Central Division.

At 3:27 into the second period, Scott scored again, going top-shelf on a breakaway for a 5-3 lead in what would be a 9-6 victory.

And while there were four two-goal scorers in this semi-final game, Scott was by far the fan favorite.

“I never, in a million years, believed I would’ve been in an All-Star Game,” Scott said. “To have the fans get behind me like that, to score two goals in a game, you can’t put it into words.

“You can’t write this stuff. It’s unbelievable how it happened.”

The Pacific would go on to win 1-0 against the Atlantic in the final.

And then, the NHL announced its three Twitter fan vote MVP finalists: Taylor Hall (2 goals, 1 assist), Johnny Gaudreau, (1 goal, 2 assists), and Roberto Luongo (8 saves on 10 shots in the first game and 10/10 in the second).

They were to vote by tweeting: #votemvphall, #votemvpgaudreau, or #votemvpluongo.

Bridgestone Arena erupted in a loud, deep “Booooo.”

When Scott next stepped on the ice, fans chanted “M-V-P, M-V-P.” In fact, they did so each of his shifts the remainder of the game.

“I was sitting next to Johnny and Taylor on the bench, and I said, ‘You guys better give me that van, because I need it,’” Scott said after the game.

His wife is expecting twins any day. They already have two young daughters. All were in attendance for the weekend.

Twitter went crazy: #votemvpscott took over from fans and professional hockey accounts.

The league had no choice. His votes by far outnumbered those of the suggested MVP entries. And Scott was anointed 2016 NHL All-Star Most Valuable Player.

It’s the stuff of dreams and storybooks. It seemed like a long-shot because him being in the game was such an issue. But his performance on the ice was certainly that of an All-Star.

“You know what, he truly deserved it. That’s the funniest thing. He deserved it. The fans voted for him and he deserved it. He played good,” veteran All-Star Jaromir Jagr said. “If somebody’s very unwanted, he becomes [a] hero. That’s why I love it. There was the story. The guy was unwanted from the NHL and I think from the NHL, whatever happened today I think it’s probably [one of] the best stories to happen at [the] All-Star Game.”

Game One: Team Atlantic versus Team Metropolitan

P.K. Subban laid it all out on the ice to give the Atlantic Division a win in Game 1 of the NHL All-Star three-on-three tournament. In his premiere appearance, the Montreal defenseman scored the game-winner and put his body between potential shots and goalie Ben Bishop to keep the 4-3 score as the clock ticked down.

The Metropolitan Division came out hot with Kris Letang scoring high glove-side off a feed from Evgeni Malkin just 1:01 after puck-drop.

They wouldn’t stay tied for long, however. Erik Karlsson took a feed from Dylan Larkin to the high slot and fired a wrister in to tie the game.

Off a Larkin pass, with 48 seconds left in the first period, Jagr double-deked Braden Holtby for a top-shelf goal.

And, less than 45 seconds into the second period, Malkin scored with a very patient spin-o-rama set up by Brandon Saad and a Cory Schneider goalie assist.

Carly Mullady grew up needing to know more about icing than its deliciousness on cupcakes. She's the lone daughter of four children, with a father who was among the last cut from the Midwest tryouts for the 1980 Miracle on Ice Olympic team. And she knows very little matches the thrill that happens from puck-drop to handshakes.
A rink didn’t return to her hometown until she was gone, but she’s been able to see two younger brothers on the ice. She's their feistiest fan.
Her other hockey loyalty lies with the Blackhawks--whether it's meant seeing games for $8 with student IDs when the Madhouse didn’t have much of a temper at all, or dancing to Chelsea Dagger at standing room only--there’s something magical about a roaring anthem, the Indianhead sweater, and the Original Six.
A former journalist and current editor, she carries a penchant for excitement (and maybe even fighting) with a resume that includes working for Chicago-area newspapers, and television, including The Jerry Springer Show, as well as NBCUniversal in New York.
After East Coast living and a return to the Chicago area, the new Mrs. is giving Graceland a go with her Southern Gent, who now shares her adoration of the game, and their rescue dog, Doc Holliday.
Other interests include Cubs, Bears, Illini, Crimson Tide, Pumpkin Spice Lattes, baking a mean pineapple upside-down cake, Kate Spade accessories, and a properly coordinated cardigan for every ensemble.